Syunik region is situated 2100 m above sea level. Historical regions Vayots Dzor and Syunik – this two regions divided by the river Arpa and Vorotan. The region of Syunik is considered to be the southern gates of Armenia, one of the oldest and largest regions of Armenia. The region occupies 6500 sq km and 80% of the territory is mountainous, scales and mountain ranges, surrounded by mountain-chains of Zangezur, Meghri and Syunik highland. It has uncommon climate, winters are severe and it snows hard in the highland, summers are hot in the valley and it is cool in the middle zone. The region is rich with mountain-chains, caverns, alpine meadows, cool, sweet springs and numerous mineral waters. Medieval Syunik was rich with fortresses.

The center of the region is KAPAN, situated at an altitude 750m above sea level.

GORIS – is situated in the Southern region of Syunik, in the volcanic highlands (3552m), on the left bank of the Vorotan river (600m deep). Goris is about 245km South-East of Yerevan, is a town-orchard, a lovely resort place. It is famous for its thousands of dwellings carved into the rock The landscape is covered by unusual pyramids. In 401B.C. during the retreat of the Ten Thousand (Anabasis), Xenophon passed through Armenia. In his account of the expedition he mentions the Armenian troglodytes of Goris and Khndzoresk.

KHNDZORESK – this village looks like almost vertical multi-storied rocky amphitheater. The caves and exotic rock formations are more interesting. Troglodytic dwelling at Khndzoresk –Prehistoric era. The escarpments and caves that around here offer a unique landscape.

Many of the caves are used today as barns for farm animals.

Devil Bridge

TATEV – nothing can be compared with the monastery of Tatev-that dominates over Syunik from on high. Tatev is far from Goris 30km. The monastery of Tatev comprises a remarkable architetctural complex situated on the top of an almost impregnable plateau. Bordered by a ravine through which the River Vorotan flows, it was defended on the North and West sides by powerful walls.

The monastery was founded in the 4th century and later in the 9-10th and 17-18th century it was developed. Since the 9th century it has been a recognized part of that region. Gathered there were numerous manuscripts and documents as well as the archives of princely families. Eminent divines of the Armenian Middle Ages lived and worked there.

AGHOUDI – among the monuments of Armenian architecture, between the 5th and 7th centuries, steles and funeral structures deserve special mention. The 6th century mausoleum of Aghoudi arouses more curiosity and admiration than any other monument of the same kind.

SUNIVANK – this monument of Syunik is classified with the Armenian central cupola’s churches. It was built in basalt during the second half of the 7 th century.

OUGHTASAR – on the mountainous heights of Syunik in Zangezur, 3,000 m above sea level, rises an ancient fortress with enormous ramparts. Within its walls there remain the foundation of rectangular chambers and vestiges of prehistoric temples. Compared with those existing in Karelia, in Siberia, France, Denmark, America and the Sahara, the few thousands of ancient rock engravings at Oughtasar excel in their number and especially in the clarity and precision with which they portray the customs of the period, they have been well preserved. These monuments belonging to a Totemistic cult were creations of the Neolithic and Aneolithic era.

ANGELAKOTH – all Armenia and especially the mountainous region of Zangezur, is rich in beautiful remains of prehistoric times. In the various regions of the town of Sisian are found many megalithic monuments, which are among the oldest structures in stone. Examples of this megalithic culture are dolmens and the arrangements of menhirs at Angelakoth, which belong to the second millennium B.C.

ANCIENT OBSERVATORY ZORAKAR (KARAHUNGE) – Cyclops erections of Zorakar believed to be an ancient observatory quite similar to Stonehenge in England. The columns sit like soldiers on a hill, huddled in formation. The 204 stones near Sisian have been ascribed with mystical, fertility and cosmic powers, but rarely have ancient monuments caused such a sensation in astronomical circles.

SHAKE WATERFALL – one of the wonders of nature – the height is 18 m.

MEGHRI – is the final Armenian town before reaching Iran. The climate here is subtropical, and it is common to see pomegranates and figs growing in trees along the roads. Fortress of Meghri (17th century) is a unique example of Armenian fortification technique.